Comments on: H.O. Studley by the Numbers

By: krookey

krookey — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 21:51:09 +0000

Chris: I found an Easter egg on this page which appears to my eye to be H.O. Studley’s workbench! If I’m right, I had no idea such a thing was out there. What can you tell us about this incredible edifice? The vice on that thing is one of the most amazing I have seen, and the paneling and drawers are beautifully executed too. Are the drawers compartmentalized as one might expect after seeing the tool cabinet? Are there tools the bench drawers as well?

By: Ryan Fee

Ryan Fee — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 15:39:36 +0000

“The public information available on the chest is riddled with errors.”

Right up to the November 2012 issue of Popular Woodworking, where in reference to Benchcrafted Tools handwheels, it was stated “(it’s based on the handwheels from H.O. Studley’s tool chest)”

Seems to me like the handwheels are on Studley’s bench http://lostartpress.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/studley_bench_img_0307.jpg

By: griffithpark

griffithpark — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 17:11:21 +0000

Based on my shop experience, I’d venture that the drills and augers are in back because they’re infrequently used.

I’ve accumulated a full set of Fray/Spoffords (7″ – 17″) and have four sets of auger bits ( coarse and fine, Jennings and Irwin). Yet in day-to-day woodworking I’m suprised how often they’re untouched.

By: JeffK

JeffK — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 16:56:36 +0000

I would like to see a detail of the different layers and how he fit things together, for inspiration so that I can build something similar.

By: GTBurbank

GTBurbank — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 01:04:52 +0000

That beeping sound from the back of your car is not a lost pager. It is a small GPS tracking device so that I may discern the exact whereabouts of said chest….
Thank you for your hard work on this one. While my persistent nagging on the subject might not persuade you, the iconic status of this toolchest guarantees a very wide audience for this book. You may interperet that as a “cash cow”. Now it’s time to get milking.

By: Eric R

Eric R — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 21:56:57 +0000

That is one hell of a chest.

By: SFreedman

SFreedman — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 18:39:02 +0000

I noticed from one picture that the top and bottom are tails that fit into pins on the sides. Since the cabinet hangs on a wall, I am surprised that the top and bottom aren’t pins (like the front of a drawer) and the sides the tail pieces.

By: James Grebe

James Grebe — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 18:14:31 +0000

I have been in the piano tuning and repair business for over 50 years now. Studley must have been the exceptional worker, as in my 50 years tuning pianos I have only run across 2 Poole pianos (Studley’s employer) and both were poor examples of the makers art. He had great organizational tools and priobably workmanship but not on the 2 examples I have worked on.
James Grebe
http://www.grebpiano.com

By: Brentpmed

Brentpmed — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 17:16:07 +0000

Chris,
One of the questions I have is: Do you find evidence of iterations? Was this the final grand tool chest, well planned out in advance, or did the tools and placement change over time as pieces were added to or (re)moved in the chest? Are there any clues about which tools were first acquired and stored and which ones he picked up over the years?

This is a huge project. While there will almost certainly be times of mind numbing tedium, I envy you.
Brent

By: msiemsen

msiemsen — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 15:32:46 +0000

Other than tool storage and display one function of a tool chest like that is to get instant respect from other workers and supervisors. It is like a large sign that says I know what I am doing so don’t screw with me. It is also an excellent way to be able to see if anything is missing at end of day.